Infiltration and extravasation in pediatric patients: A prevalence study in a children's hospital

Abstract

Purpose: The aim of this study is to determine the prevalence of infiltration and extravasation among children staying in a children's hospital and the interventions carried out when infiltration or extravasation occurred.

Methods: A prospective and descriptive research design was used in the study, conducted between September 2015 and February 2016, and determined the prevalence of infiltration and extravasation and their characteristics. The study sample consisted of 297 peripheral catheters in 173 pediatric patients.

Results: Of 297 peripheral catheters, 50.8% were located on the right and 30.6% were inserted in the dorsal metacarpal vein. Infiltration and extravasation occurred in 2.9% and 2.3% of the patients, respectively. The prevalence of infiltration and extravasation was 5.5 and 4.4 per 1000 patient-days, respectively. The applied interventions after infiltration or extravasation included covering with a gauze dressing or alcohol-soaked cotton, cold application, irrigation with physiological saline, and elevation.

Conclusion: The infiltration and extravasation prevalence were found to be high, but the interventions to address them were inadequate. Training and implementation strategies should be planned for pediatric nurses to prevent infiltration and extravasation.

Keywords: Child; extravasation; infiltration; peripheral intravenous catheter.